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Simple 1-Color Smokey Eye Tutorial

9:00 AM

Hey everyone! Today's tutorial is my go-to makeup lately for those lazy days where I want to look put together but QUICKLY. I know smokey eyes can seem daunting for those who don't wear darker shadows but I've found that the method that I use actually produces a wearable daytime look.

With only one main eyeshadow, it's all about the shape of the shadow and how it's blended on the top line. Check out how I put this look together below!

When eyes are closed, you should see an almond shape of shadow on the lid with softly blended edges. Because the color is deep but looks like eyeshadow (versus thick black liner) it's actually very flattering on those with monolids and hooded lids as well as girls with creases. Similar to my Makeup For Uneven Eyelids tutorial, it defines the eyes without the "black hole" effect many girls turn to!

A big key to this look is applying the finishing touches to the shadow shape once eyes are open. This way, you get the right amount of shadow that shows while eyes are both open and closed. The finished look should softly rim the eyes evenly.

On my rushed days, I can literally do this look from start to finish in about 10 minutes which I'd say is quite a success for a "smokey eye". It also tends to last several hours with no need for touch-ups. This is one of the reasons why I love it so much!

Since the shadow shape of this look needs to be adaptive to your own eye shape, it will take some practice to see what shape will look best on you. As I always say, practice on an off day until it looks right. It's always easier on the second and third try! Don't be afraid to try this look in various colors as well like navy blue, eggplant, or hunter green. As long as the color is dark, it should work well. :)

Do you have any tips for smokey eye newbies? What is your most dependable "1 color" shadow? Let me know in the comments!

Hi! Since you moved I've noticed that the lighting in your videos has changed a lot. This new brighter, more natural light makes it really hard to see the colors correctly, for example in this video when you show the eyeshadow pallet. I also think that the cokor in your face gets sort of washed out, your eyelook really stands out but the color in your face gets washed out and it's hard to see the differens between your foundation and the blush. Just something to think about for future videos :) Love your tutorials by the way! They are always awsome :D

Yes I've heard a few people saying this! Don't worry, the lighting situation is temporary since we are still trying to find the best recording space/lights for videos in our new place. It's a work in progress! Thank you so much for the feedback!! :D

Love this tutorial!! You're amazing! ^___^b I love dark browns/deep cocoa or chocolate colors! I think it's subtle but still adds a nice glamorous effect like a smokey eye should but it's not too heavy like black or dark blue would be on me. ^.^;;

Very helpful video Jen! Looking put-together in little time is key for my lifestyle. I'm trying to get the hang of makeup and I wasn't sure how a smokey eye could be done in just 10 minutes (or less). Time to practice...=P

Hi! Im a big fan of your makeup work! Everytime I look at your skin in your videos I just get blown away by how clear it is. Could you please recommend me a face cleanser? Im having really bad break outs and I would do anything to clear my skin :( I have oily skin (not super super crazy oily but still pretty oily, but kinda dry in winter) and Im 17. I can get korean brands too so please help me! I live in Canada!

Suzy, have you ever tried spot topical treatment creams that are salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or sulfur based? I had crazy acne growing up (and my teenage brother has it worse!) that's died down a lot since finding the right chemical that works on the problematic bacteria in my skin.

Honestly, changing my cleanser hasn't ever affected my skin too much but if I don't use my topical creams, I'm guaranteed pimples within a week. I just make sure to have something that cleans w/o leaving too much residue (DHC cleansing oil), exfoliate every 2-4 days (I have very tough skin that can take even everyday exfoliating), and make sure to use a good toner (something from my local hippie store w/ lots of herbal things in it) & non-cloggy but still well-moisturizing lotion that don't break the bank or break me out (Cetaphil Restoraderm Moisturizer).

Through a lot of testing, I've found that s.acid & sulfur (that works wonders for tons of people) do almost nothing for me, but benzoyl peroxide (which makes a lot of people's skin flare red and itchy) will kill 95% of all my cystics. I'm not sure if Clearasil in Canada has the same line, but they make both bezoyl p.- & sulfur-based treatments. If you try benzoyl peroxide for the first time, please please please make sure to use only a tiiiiny bit in the beginning. Your skin probably isn't use to it and it'll get red and itchy and possibly peel. I've used it forever so I can smear it on all over my face, but my friends can only take dotting onto cystics.

Of course, drink LOTS OF WATER! And maybe start taking a vitamin pill? I found my skin clearing up a lot since taking Whole Foods' 365 Women's Multivitamin. I have no idea which ingredient is helping and the smell is awful, but you gotta do what you gotta do, right?

I have super oily skin, which is annoying for having foundation last, but I figure it'll mean less wrinkles in 20 years for us. :)

Sorry for rambling so much...I feel your pain about teenage acne and wish someone told me about proper skincare regiment when I was in my teens! (And that there was more to treatments than salicylic acid...)

Thanks so much for all these lovely tutorials for monolids & hooded eyes that don't involve faking a crease (which I find end up looking tragic on my hooded eyes with extra fatty lids). I've only recently come to accept that certain eye makeup will never look right on me, but that's ok. Work with what we've got, right?

One thing I've got that I haven't figured out how to work with properly: the outside corners of my eyes create a crease that slopes down after they come together, like this: http://cl.ly/image/1O0H1K1P2S1T I've never seen any tutorials on how to deal with this (nor seen anyone with this type of eye corner irl; thanks for the weird genetics, Mom.).

Do you have any recommendations? It makes my cat-eyes always look so strange b/c it's like I've got a > thing going on at the corners of my eyes and drives me crazy!

Why have I only just discovered this blog!! I think your tutorials are great, lots of information and techniques that I've heard about but when I see it happening it makes so much more sense. No matter what though, I ALWAYS have a hard time with the eye liner. I end up looking like an Egyptian more than anything. I know you are suppose to follow the line of your lower lid, but it's just not working! I think what may help me is if after each step or product when you are adding a color or step to your eye, to pull the camera back to see what it looks like on your face. What's hard for me is when I look up, it looks different than in my tiny mirror. Does that make any sense????

By they way, after I've seen about 2 of your tutorials it makes me want to run to Sephora and buy EVERYTHING. At this point I've seen pretty much all your tutorials so now I'm going to be in big trouble my next trip to the mall!

Thanks for the tutes and advice and kudos to you for putting yourself out there for the world to see! That's pretty damn hard.

I actually have a question about the eyeko liner that you use. How long does it tend to last you? I started using mine mid november and it seemed to have lost a lot of its blackness. Is this typical of felt tip liners? When I first started using it it was extremely black.

About me

Hi, I'm Jen! I've been blogging and making youtube videos since 2008 and have loved encouraging others to feel beautiful in their own skin ever since. I hope you enjoy my beauty tips and reviews, style inspiration, and a bit of my life as a wife and mother!